Ricardo Lopes, a Brazilian native, born in Petrópolis (Rio de Janeiro) in 1958, started his professional career as Goalkeeper with Serrano F. C. (Petrópolis, Rio de Janeiro) in 1978. During the 5 years Ricardo played for Serrano, he helped the team reach a better position in the state championship and in many occasions, he was directly responsible for important victories by not allowing adversaries to score. Because of his outstanding presentations and fantastic saves, the press used to call him São Ricardo (Saint Ricardo in Portuguese). His first coach was Rene Simões, who coached the famous Reggae Boysfrom Jamaica to the 1998 FIFA World Cup.

It was written that such a good player would not stay for long with Serrano and soon the big teams from São Paulo and Rio showed interest in having Ricardo defending their goal. In 1983 he signed with Fluminense F.C. (Rio de Janeiro), then one of the top teams of the first national division.

Ricardo defended Fluminense F.C. for three years and won three state championships in a row and in 1984 he helped Fluminense win the Bazilian National Championship. Fluminense had many famous players at that time, including Branco and Romerito. Ricardo and his team were invited to show their talents in many countries in Asia, Europe, Africa, and of course, all over Latin America.

In 1986 and 1987 Ricardo defended Nautico F.C. (Recife, Pernambuco) and then the Captain of the 1970 Brazil National Team, winner of the FIFA World Cup, Carlos Alberto Torres was hired as coach of the Miami Sharks. Carlos Alberto immediately requested Ricardo to defend the Sharks. Ricardo played one year and then started coaching Soccer Camps around the United States. Ricardo and Carlos Alberto organized and coached a Goalkeeper program in Houston, TX, with more than 1500 kids registered.

Ricardo coached in Soccer Camps in Miami, Dallas, Cocoa Beach, and the Disney World Wide Center of Sports in Orlando. Many successful goalkeepers in Miami had Ricardo as their personal coach at their young ages.


Ricardo holds the following certifications:

• USSF National 'C' License
• FYSA O.D.P. Goalkeeper Coach
• Brazilian International Coaching License
• FYSA Goalkeeper Coach Level II